DC Public Library Foundation

You are invited to an immersive exploration of The Negro Motorist Green Book, a powerful testament to African American entrepreneurship and survival during the segregation era.

This exciting new exhibit will run through March 2, 2025, and dives into the reality of travel for African Americans in mid-century America and how the annual guide served as an indispensable resource for the nation’s rising African American middle class.

Join us for the opening celebration at the , taking place this weekend, November 2-3, 1-4 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 2 -

Get a first look at this special exhibition with activities for all ages, including a children's sock hop, screenings of historical musical performances, a unique recreation of a Green Book-era diner, and an opportunity to meet representatives from organizations featured in the Green Book in D.C. exhibition.

Sunday, Nov. 3 -

Enjoy a beautiful day at the MLK Library with a vintage car show that will bring to life the stories of how families traveled during the Green Book era, a throw-back 1960s Teenarama Dance party hosted by the African American Music Association, and a variety of local food trucks.

Learn more about the exhibit, guided tour schedule, and related events here: https://www.dclibrary.org/negro-motorist-green-book

The Negro Motorist Green Book was created by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in collaboration with Candacy Taylor and made possible through the support of ExxonMobil Corporation.

We are proud to join the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in helping to bring this programming to DC Public Library.

The Negro Motorist Green Book Join us for the opening weekend of The Negro Motorist Green Book on Saturday, Nov. 2 and Sunday, Nov. 3 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.

Calling all film creators, enthusiasts, journalists, and storytellers -

DC Public Library is partnering with 100Reporters for this year's Double Exposure Film Festival!

As part of the festival, on Nov. 8, 9, and 10, DCPL will host three free film screenings at the beautifully renovated (registration required; see link below).

Join us for groundbreaking storytelling that emphasizes the impact investigative and creative works can have on policy changes and public awareness.

𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘦 -

𝐍𝐨𝐯. 8 𝐚𝐭 12 𝐩𝐦:

Illuminating Perspectives: Shorts on the Human Experience

𝘚𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦
𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘦
𝘈 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺
𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘦

𝐍𝐨𝐯. 9 𝐚𝐭 12 𝐩𝐦:

Reframing the South: DX Reel South Award Finalists

𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘭: 𝘚𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘺-𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘞𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘳
𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘚𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘒𝘭𝘢𝘯
𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺
𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘐𝘭𝘭𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴

𝐍𝐨𝐯. 10 𝐚𝐭 1:30 𝐩𝐦:

Breaking the Mold: Defying Conventional Narrative Shorts

𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵
𝘍𝘰𝘹 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘺
𝘐 𝘈𝘮 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺, 𝘞𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯

𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐂𝐏𝐋 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/events?r=months&n=2&term=Double+Exposure

𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴/ 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘋𝘟𝘍𝘦𝘴𝘵.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Maintaining family connections is vital for both incarcerated individuals and their loved ones.

Regular contact helps preserve family bonds and provides crucial emotional support during challenging times, significantly improving mental well-being for all involved.

This contact benefits not only the individuals involved but also the broader community: studies show that regular family contact can reduce recidivism rates and promotes rehabilitation.

For all these reasons, we're proud to share that DC Public Library hosts a Video Visitation program at select branch locations.

This essential service provides families with convenient, accessible spaces to connect with their incarcerated loved ones at the DC Jail through video visits.

This long-standing program is now available at three locations:

📍 Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

Tuesdays 4-6 PM

Fridays 11 AM-1 PM

(Check in at the C4A and Adult Learning help desk, 2nd floor)

📍 Anacostia Neighborhood Library

Thursdays 2-4 PM

Fridays 2-4 PM

📍 Capitol View Neighborhood Library

Wednesdays 2-4 PM

Saturdays 2-4 PM

Please see the comments below for more information on the program and scheduling visits.

You can also support community-focused services and programs like this by donating to our Foundation at this link: https://www.dcplfoundation.org/donate

We're excited to highlight another winner from this year's Know Your Power contest.

Today, we're talking about Dakala, who won first place in the Writing division.

Dakala is 18, and her local library branch is the Shepherd Park/Juanita E. Thornton Library.

In her poem on homelessness in DC, Dakala discusses two sides of our city, painting a picture of contrast.

Dakala's work reminds us to look beyond the surface of our nation's capital and consider the diverse experiences of all its inhabitants. It's a testament to how young voices can illuminate important social topics through creative expression.

We're inspired by Dakala's use of poetry to address a complex issue and hope this recognition encourages her continued exploration of writing as a tool for change.

We'll keep sharing more fantastic work from our contest, which we proudly host with PepcoConnect's support.

Stay tuned!

Today, we're thrilled to spotlight Ana (Tenley-Friendship Library), one of the talented winners of this year’s Know Your Power teen art contest, generously sponsored by .

At just 17, Ana's visual art piece, titled "Esperanza y Realidad" ("Hope and Reality"), captures a profound narrative about childhood, poverty, and resilience in the streets of Coyoacan, Mexico City.

Her artwork contrasts the joyful innocence of a young girl with the solemn responsibility felt by her older brother, both playing an accordion in exchange for spare money.

The reality Ana highlights is heartbreaking yet powerful—almost half of Mexico’s children live in poverty, often forced to sacrifice education for survival.

Ana’s work is a moving example of how art can amplify critical social issues and inspire conversations.

We hope Ana and all our contest participants continue exploring their creativity and using their voices to spark conversations and drive positive change.

Stay tuned as we highlight more incredible submissions from this year’s contest!

A book club for busy people?!

Did you know that DC Public Library has more than twenty book clubs, including this one with short reads under 200 pages?

Enjoy the benefits of a book club -

📚 Read more books
👭 Meet new people in our community
💬 Become a better conversationalist
🤝 Better understand diverse perspectives

(And many more!)

But with minimum commitment. ⏳

Banned Books Week is an annual event highlighting the value of free and open access to information and seeks to bring together the entire book community.

✨ This year’s Banned Books Week theme is Freed Between the Lines. ✨

As a First Amendment institution, DC Public Library and our Foundation are dedicated to protecting your freedom to read and express yourself.

DCPL is proud to be a space where you are Freed Between the Lines to find your story.

This week, we encourage you to explore DCPL's collection of frequently banned books and discover stories that resonate with your experiences, challenge your perspectives, and inspire you to see the world in new ways.

We love being a part of special moments like this. ❤️

A great way to kick off Banned Books Week!

The Aspen Institute Arts Program in partnership with Kwame Alexander, W. Kamau Bell, and the DC Public Library & DC Public Library Foundation presents: “Shelved Voices: How Book Censorship & Bans Impact Everyone, Everywhere”

🗓️ Sept. 22
📍 MLK Library
🔗 https://bit.ly/47gvuJr

This year's Latine Heritage Month theme is...

👫 🌎 Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together 👫 🌎

It recognizes the many Latine individuals who have dedicated themselves to preserving and telling their stories, advocating for justice and equality, breaking barriers, and more.

Throughout the month, DC Public Library invites you to celebrate this rich and diverse culture through books, movies, and events!

Find upcoming events and recommendations for books and music here: https://www.dclibrary.org/latine-heritage-month

A DC Public Library card opens up a world of opportunities that can help you build your community, learn something new, find your creative voice, and so much more.

During National Library Card Month, we invite you to sign up for a library card (or renew your library card) and explore what your neighborhood library has to offer.

Sign up for a card or get a quick reminder of all the ways a library card can support your goals here:
https://www.dclibrary.org/news/national-library-card-sign-month

National Library Card Sign-Up Month Find your element with DC Public Library! Sign up for a DC Public Library Card or renew your card today.

Please join us in celebrating another successful year of the Know Your Power civic engagement arts contest -

DC is home to so many amazing teen writers and artists who worked hard to create their submissions, and we are proud to celebrate and showcase their work.

When: Thursday, September 12, at 6:00 pm
Where:

Many thanks to sponsor PepcoConnect for supporting this fantastic program and to keynote speaker Jordan K. Casomar for helping us make this a memorable showcase!

September author talks are already filling to capacity!

Don't miss out on a great lineup of inspiring authors brought to you by DC Public Library, our Foundation, and other generous sponsors.

RSVP now to connect with your favorite writers, explore new genres, and pick apart the stories that shape our world.

Full event listing and registration available here: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/events?r=months&n=2&t=Author+Talk

Thank you to NBA Veteran Jerami Grant for holding this wonderful fundraising event at DC Public Library.

The Dream Gala, hosted by Grant's Hour Generation Foundation on the beautiful rooftop, raised $100,000 to benefit DC area youth.

Enjoy some event photos from our Executive Director Rob Hartman and learn about the event in this Essence article (plus more great photos!): https://www.essence.com/news/jerami-grant-hour-generation-dream-gala/

Discover Summer, DC Public Library’s city-wide and all-ages reading program, ends this week (Aug. 31)!

That means we’re in the final days to fill out your game boards by reading and completing various activities.

Once your game board is full, or you’ve received your completion badge on Beanstack, stop by your neighborhood library to show them and receive a prize!

Thank you to our fellow sponsors for helping support a joy of reading and learning this summer!

PepcoConnect DC Public Schools Federation of Friends of the DC Public Library Washington Nationals D.C. United The Phillips Collection Rubell Museum Wendy's DC College Savings Plan

~~~~~~
Learn more about prizes here: https://www.dclibrary.org/discover-summer-2024-prizes
~~~~~~

It's your final week to visit the 𝘞𝘦 𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘉𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘐𝘯 𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮 exhibit at the !

This unique exhibit traces Black feminism in Washington, D.C., from the turn of the 20th century through the civil rights and Black Power movements to today.

𝐓𝒊𝒑: Check out the standalone art piece 𝘎𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘊𝘦𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘳 by acclaimed artist Simon Berger. Located just outside the main exhibit, this striking portrait of Vice President Kamala Harris offers a unique commentary on barriers and breakthroughs.

Thank you to the National Women's History Museum for partnering with DC Public Library on this exhibit.

Learn more about the exhibit or schedule a free guided tour here: https://www.dclibrary.org/we-who-believe-freedom-black-feminist-dc

We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist D.C. Presented as part of a groundbreaking partnership between DC Public Library and the National Women’s History Museum, We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist D.C. will trace Black feminism in Washington, DC from the turn of the 20th century through the civil rights and Black Power movements to to...

The National Book Festival, sponsored by The Library of Congress, is a free, annual literary festival that brings together a diverse range of authors, poets, and illustrators.

Where: Walter E. Washington Convention Center

When: Saturday, August 24, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (doors open at 8:30 a.m.).

The Festival is a celebration of literature that caters to all readers, with book talks, panel discussions, book signings, and other activities.

It's a can't miss summer event for book lovers (like us!).

While at the Festival, stop by the DC Public Library booth to meet the talented author Nikki Payne!

Nikki Payne’s thought-provoking work - Pride and Protest - explores powerful themes, and this is your chance to engage with the author and celebrate her latest book.

Learn more about the festival here: https://www.loc.gov/events/2024-national-book-festival/

The Lost Holliday is a poignant exploration of family, loss, and identity.

Enjoy this film screening, followed by what is sure to be a thought-provoking discussion, as part of DC Public Library's programming to honor James Baldwin's legacy.

This event is in partnership with the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC). We are pleased to have Dr. David Johns (CEO of NBJC), actress Vivica A. Fox, and director Jussie Smollett with us for the discussion.

Register to attend here: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/11434834

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with a powerful story and celebrate the enduring spirit of James Baldwin.

Join us in celebrating 10 years of the DC Punk Archive with a special rooftop concert!

The show will run tomorrow August 14th from 6-8:30pm on the rooftop and is the last punk show of the summer hosted by DC Public Library.

We hope you’ll be there to help us recognize the DC Punk Archive which was established in 2014 to document the vibrant and influential punk music scene of Washington D.C.

The archive documents music and musicians as well as the cultural context of venues, festivals, record shops, radio stations, houses and tours that were a vital part of the DC scene.

Show details: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/11177842

Learn about and access the archive here: https://digdc.dclibrary.org/islandora/object/dcplislandora%3A236691?solr_nav%5Bid%5D=26c73045f48a36286cb9&solr_nav%5Bpage%5D=0&solr_nav%5Boffset%5D=0

The Scavenger Hunt may be over 😢 but we still have a couple prizes to give away as thanks to our amazing Banned Books hunters! 🔎🕵️‍♀️

What a wonderful October we had with you all! 💙💙💙

Today's final raffle prize winners are...

Rina Reyes Nyemah (pipocarina7 on Instagram) - we hope you enjoy a delicious meal at Hank's Oyster Bar your $100 gift card!

And SB (prettypenny49 on Instagram) - The Queen Vic is calling your name with a $50 gift card!

📷 cred: prettypenny49 on Instagram

𝐓𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑩𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒉 𝑺𝒄𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝑯𝒖𝒏𝒕! But we still have a few prizes so stop by your local library branch for some Tricks & Treats! 🎃 Our latest raffle prize winner in the scavenger hunt is Michael Hampton (MichaelMHampton on Twitter), the lucky recipient of a $100 gift card to any Hank's Oyster Bar in the DMV!

Hank's Oyster Bar , named after its chef and restaurateur’s father Hank Leeds, has been serving up the freshest and widest selection of East and West coast oysters, local coastal favorites, and New England beach fare classics to locals and visitors alike since 2005. 🦐🎣

𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬: Find a book today and post a picture with your discovered book to social media using . We appreciate you tagging us in your post as well. 😊

𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘦: 𝘞𝘦'𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘺𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘋𝘔𝘴!

📷 cred: on Twitter